137 - The Weapon of Non-Attachment| Swami Tattwamayananda

<b>Title: The Weapon of Non-Attachment</b><i></i>15th Chapter: Verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8<br /><br />In the first verse, the whole world is compared to the <i>Ashvattha</i> tree – the tree of life. Its roots are above and the branches are below. Roots represent the origin or the source which is the <i>Atman</i>. From this <i>Atman</i>, the empirical world, which is represented by the branches and leaves, evolves and moves downward. Only the <i>Atman</i> is eternal – the empirical world is non-eternal.<br /><br />The branches and leaves represent the continuous flow of <i>samsara</i> (empirical world) through human desires, actions and results. The <i>Atman</i>, as the source, is the root. Without it, the tree collapses. So, in the midst of our daily activities, we should remember the <i>Atman</i>, the source of everything.<br /><br />The 3rd verse states that no one knows the true nature of this tree. It has no beginning and no end. One can get out of the entanglement of <i>samsara</i> with the strong weapon of non-attachment (<a href="https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/w/asanga-shastrena" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><i>asa</i><i>ṅ</i><i>ga-śhastre</i><i>ṇ</i><i>a</i></a>).<br /><br />When we do our actions without being attached, then our life becomes enjoyable. We are no longer imprisoned by the results of our actions. <i>Mahatma Gandhi</i> practiced <i>Anasakti-Yoga</i>. He led a life of action, but he was not attached to results.<br /><br />The 4th verse says that those who are spiritually evolved develop an inquiry into something higher – they go in the search for the transcendental. It gives them a higher purpose in life. The moment we develop this higher goal, we begin our journey to get out of the wheel of <i>samsara</i>. Upon reaching the goal, the transmigratory cycle comes to an end – we become one with the divine. This should be understood in the context of the law of <i>karma</i> and the law of incarnation.<br /><br />The realization of the imperfections of worldly enjoyments brings abo